Better Know a Bagel: Bagel Palace

One of the Atlanta’s longest-tenured bagel eateries in one of the most Jewish neighborhoods? How have we not written a review for Bagel Palace in Toco Hills?

We rectify that oversight with a visit to an eatery that has served fresh New York-style bagels in Atlanta since 1993.

Atmosphere

There are two supermarkets in the sprawling Toco Hill Shopping Center at the corner of LaVista and North Druid Hills roads, as well as two bagel places. Bagel Palace is on the northern edge of the shopping center, and Goldbergs is on the southern end.

The interior of Bagel Palace in Toco Hills has a mid-1990s throwback look and feel.

The entire complex has undergone extensive renovations to the storefronts in the past year, but step inside Bagel Palace and you’ll be transported back to the mid-1990s. Old-school tables and chairs are surrounded by glass display cases with delicious cookies and cakes, and the aroma of fresh bagels wafts through the air.

It was fairly empty when we visited, but the service was still subpar. Based on online reviews, that’s a common complaint. Getting coffee refills was a chore, and our server disappeared in the middle of our lunch to take a break.

Verdict: 2/5

Bagels

The owners of Bagel Palace migrated south from New York in the early ’90s and opened a place to get classic New York-style, kettle-boiled bagels. They don’t disappoint.

The bagels aren’t massive, but in true New York fashion they are thick and heavy. There are no exotic-flavored bagels or foodie-centric menu items here, just classic, tried-and-true favorites like everything, sesame and cinnamon raisin.

The prices vary from $2.79 for a bagel and cream cheese to $11.25 for a bagel with sliced nova or lox that comes all the way from the acclaimed Acme Smoked Fish in Brooklyn.

Verdict: 4/5

Spreads

The cream cheese at Bagel Palace is made in house and comes in a variety of flavors, including veggie, scallion, lox and jalapeno. It’s a great addition to a toasted bagel with a side of hash browns. The extensive menu at Bagel Palace also includes omelets, pancakes, deli sandwiches, and such classics as matzah ball soup and challah French toast.

Verdict: 4/5

Overall

Bagel Palace isn’t the best bagel bistro in Atlanta, but it’s far from the worst. Sure, the inside is dated, and they don’t serve foodie favorites like avocado toast. But Bagel Palace has heart and some darned good bagels. There’s a reason this place has been open since 1993.

I heartily recommend this establishment for a Sunday nosh or a lunchtime bite to eat.

Verdict: 3.5/5

Next time: Café Posh in Sandy Springs

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